Upton sewalong day 5: pockets, side seams and attaching bodice

Pockets make everything better. So, start by pinning one pocket piece, right sides together, to the side seam, matching the notches. Sew at a 1/4″ (6mm) seam.

Press the pocket away from the skirt, then understitch the pocket to the skirt seam allowance, very close to the seam – this will stop it peeking out when you wear it.

Repeat this step with the second pocket on the front skirt, then with both pockets on both back skirt pieces.

Sew skirt side seams

Place skirt back pieces on top of skirt front piece, right sides together, matching up the side seams and the pockets. Now, sew the side seams, pivoting when you reach the pocket, going all away around it, then pivoting again and finishing the rest of the side seam all the way to the hem. Finish the seam and press pocket towards the front of the skirt.

Attach skirt to bodice

Pin main fabric bodice to skirt, right sides together, matching side seams and notches – leave the lining free.

Sew seam, finish, and press up towards waistband.

This is what it will look like from the outside (a little tricky to see in the crazy print!).

Help me please! – My pattern had a slip of paper instructing me to add seam allowance to side seams I think pieces 7 and 9 – I did this and got the skirt all sewn together (beautifully, with French seams) and now the skirt is miles too big for my waistband – I have 4 days to finish this dress for my daughter’s dance, and don’t know exactly how to go about refitting the skirt pieces to the waistband – should I tear out the pockets and recut the side seams?

Hmm that’s odd! The easiest/quickest thing to do would be to adjust the side seams as you suggest, although depending on how much bigger the skirt is you could also just cut off the seams and re sew them.